O (Superior Electoral Court) unanimously denied a by Hildebrando Pascoal Nogueira Neto, former congressman and former colonel known as “chainsaw deputy”.The result was declared during an ordinary session this Thursday (April 9, 2026).
The former deputy filed an appeal against a 14-year prison sentence by the Regional Electoral Court of Acre for electoral corruption, illegal concentration and transportation of voters and criminal association. The crimes were committed when he served as state deputy and, later, as federal deputy, a position from which he was revoked in September 1999. The decision became final in 2004.
The case’s rapporteur, Estela Aranha, read the summary of her vote and cited a previous TSE judgment on the case. He stated that he was “impossible” the use of criminal review.
The minister refers to the fact that, in 2025, minister André Ramos Tavares maintained the understanding of the Regional Electoral Court of Acre against the criminal review. The defense argued that there was a lack of judicial supervision of the police investigation and double punishment for the same act. At the same time, he stated that the magistrates who conducted the original trial should be impeached.
WHO IS HIDELBRANDO
Hildebrando was accused of leading a “death squad”, a criminal organization that operated in Acre and committed homicides, torture, kidnappings and threats. He has been in prison since 1999, sentenced to more than 100 years in prison. He is serving his sentence in the maximum security Antônio Amaro prison.
The “nickname” comes from a case from the 90s: the murder of mechanic Agilson Firmino dos Santos, known as “Baiano”, and his 13-year-old son Wilder. Firmino’s body was dismembered with a chainsaw. Two other witnesses were killed. The crime occurred in 1996, in the capital of Acre, as revenge for the death of Itamar Pascoal, Hildebrando’s brother.
According to a public civil action filed by the Public Ministry of Acre in January 2026, the extermination group was made up of civil and military police officers performing their duties. The MP demands compensation of R$1 million for the mechanic’s family and accountability from the State government.
HIDELBRANDO AND THE STF
The case of the former federal deputy was responsible for the addition of criminal jurisdiction to the Supreme Court.
The then President of the Court, Minister Celso de Mello, opened an investigation to investigate the case based on a report from the Ministry of Justice. But there was no way to open a legal case. This is because, until then, the Supreme Court could only prosecute and judge deputies and senators if the Chamber and the Senate had authorized it. In 1999, the Chamber of Deputies revoked Hildebrando’s mandate and referred the case to the 1st Instance, where he was tried and convicted.
But in 2001, the authorized the Supreme Court to judge congressmen’s cases without prior authorization from the Legislature.
